What can I do if my manager at my new job does not allow me to work to my full capacity and the department director will not do anything about it?

Queston:

Dear Donna,

I have been in my current position for two years. I came to the position with great experience and was told I would be an asset to the department. Unfortunately, my role has been very much diminished as my manager will not let me do anything. She always feels her way is better. I have tried to discuss this with her and she becomes defensive. I have tried to speak with the department director and she just shrugs and says the manager is very devoted to her job.

Everyone tells me to take the salary and do nothing. I cannot do this as I want to feel at the end of the day I have accomplished something. Now, I sit in my office and wait for a task to be given to me. I look every day at the job openings but nothing as of yet.

How can I get through this? It is wearing on my self-esteem. Am I a fool to continue to let them treat me this way?

Feels Diminished

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Feels Diminished,

Not every position is right for every person. Also, not every job works out as we had hoped it would. It sounds like you have given this one more than a chance and have taken additional measures to try to make it better for yourself.

You come to a point where you simply have to realize the job will not change and will never be what you want/need it to be. That leaves you with a choice: You can seek another position to challenge and excite you or you can stay and allow your self-esteem to further erode, feel unhappy and diminished, and hate going to work each day. Is the latter option really worth collecting a salary? Regardless of any advice you are being given, you have to listen to your own inner knowing. Please read Knowing when its time to move on (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Move-On).

Regarding launching a job search, you cant rely exclusively on the classified ads. You have to be much more proactive. Read Ten steps to a successful job search (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Ten-Steps). As the article indicates, one of the most important things you can do now is to start getting out to nursing career fairs. This is a great way/place to brush up on your networking and self-marketing skills. Read How to get the most out of attending a career fair(www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Career-fair). To see whats coming up in your area, visit the Nurse.com events page (http://www.nurse.com/events/career-fairs).

You also need to get out to local chapter meetings of nursing professional associations, even as a guest if you dont belong to the association. Check out area meetings of the American Nurses Association (www.nursingworld..org), the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses (www.aaacn.org) or any specialty association your might be interested in such as the Case Management Society of America (www.cmsa.org). Networking is known to be a very effective way to find jobs and get hired. You have to get yourself out there. You never know from where the spark, idea, contact or opportunity will come.

Additionally, get on the telephone and contact everyone you know both in and out of healthcare and let them know generally what type of job you want. Ask for referrals, leads, introductions and recommendations. Most positions are filled through this type of networking or word of mouth. In fact, most available positions never even get into the classifieds ads so you restrict yourself by relying on this exclusively.

You are the only one in charge of your career and the only one who knows whats right for you. Keep in mind, transition is a process. Take steps now, as outlined above and in the referenced articles to start the journey. If you create positive momentum and move forward in faith, the right opportunity will eventually present itself.

About Author

Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nurse.coms Dear Donna and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.Nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.Nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.Nurse.com/Asktheexperts/Deardonna. Find a Dear Donna seminar near you: Call 800-866-0919 or visit http://www. Nurse.com/Events.

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